C7 The Receptionist Who Had Cleared the Place

"What's the problem here? Why is there such a crowd? Everyone, clear out!" Wang Ke's brow furrowed as he quickly approached the scene.

Qi Jun spotted Wang Ke and eagerly waved him over. "Wang, it's been a while! I ran into an old classmate here and I'm helping him out with his business!"

Qi Jun's family had a modest reputation in River City, which had afforded him the opportunity to dine with Wang Ke in the past, giving them a passing acquaintance.

A security guard stepped forward and quietly explained the situation to Wang Ke.

Acknowledging Qi Jun, Wang Ke said, "Ah, Young Master Qi. However, today the Di Hao Hotel is hosting a VIP, so let's not get too carried away." He then turned to Xia Ming, who had remained still, and instructed, "You, head to that corner and shine Young Master Qi's shoes. Remember, the customer is king, got it?"

Wang Ke, misinformed by the security guard, mistakenly believed Xia Ming was a shoe shiner.

Elder Pang had reserved the entire 18th floor today to welcome a VIP, and Wang Ke knew better than to take that lightly. He couldn't afford the fallout if Xia Ming and Qi Jun caused any trouble.

Bolstered by Wang Ke's backing, Qi Jun grew smug. "Heard that, Xia Ming? Get to shining those shoes, or get out!"

Across the room, as Wang Ke's words hung in the air, Elder Pang suddenly swung his hand, delivering a sharp slap to Wang Ke's face!

"Idiot, how dare you let Young..." Elder Pang cut himself off mid-sentence, recalling the young master's wish for discretion and to keep his identity under wraps. He quickly corrected himself, "How dare you strike Mr. Xia? Don't you realize he's my esteemed guest?"

After speaking, Elder Pang hurried over to Xia Ming with great respect. "Mr. Xia, are you alright?"

Xia Ming offered a slight smile. "I'm fine, just had to deal with a few annoying flies, that's all!"

...

Wang Ke was left utterly stunned by the turn of events.

Oh my goodness!

Was Xia Ming the very VIP that Elder Pang had booked the entire 18th floor and the exclusive Heaven Class private room for?

The Pang Group wielded immense influence across the entire southwest, with Elder Pang at the helm. Qi Jun had never met him in person, but he had seen him on television before.

Given Elder Pang's demeanor, could Xia Ming be his honored guest?

Xia Ming mentioned earlier that he was meeting someone here. Could it be that he was meeting Elder Pang?

What Qi Jun didn't realize was that today, any person of significance in the southwest region who could make it, was secretly convening in the exclusive Heaven Class private room upstairs.

Qi Jun was oblivious to these details, but Wang Ke knew them all too well!

Any one of the individuals in that Heaven Class private room could obliterate the Di Hao Hotel in a matter of minutes!

And the VIP they were all there to receive was being asked to help Qi Jun shine his shoes? Was this a death wish?

"I was wrong, Elder Pang... I was wrong, Young Master Xia, I apologize... I failed to recognize you as the distinguished guest Elder Pang was expecting..." Wang Ke, no longer concerned with his pride, slapped his own face repeatedly in front of the crowd in the lobby.

Qi Jun and Qin Yao watched Xia Ming with sheepish expressions, unsure whether to leave or stay.

With Elder Pang's backing, Xia Ming could squash Qi Jun as effortlessly as crushing an ant. Qi Jun was filled with regret; it was all because of this woman! If not for her, none of these subsequent events would have occurred.

Qi Jun had made up his mind—if Xia Ming sought accountability later, he would shift all the blame onto Qin Yao.

After watching Wang Ke slap himself several times, Xia Ming calmly smiled and gestured dismissively, "General Manager Wang, there's no need for such self-reproach! You're mistaken. I'm not any VIP. Elder Pang simply appreciates calligraphy and painting. He learned that I can write a few characters with a brush and invited me to contribute a couple of words for entertainment, nothing more!"

Elder Pang, a man of great sagacity, instantly grasped Xia Ming's implication. "Indeed, I've heard that Mr. Xia's brushwork bears the elegance of the great masters of old. My friends and I are eager to witness it. Mr. Xia, time is of the essence. Shall we head upstairs?"

"Okay!" Xia Ming's lips curled into a mischievous smile as he cast a glance at Wang Ke, Qi Jun, and the rest of the group.

Wang Ke's hand hung in the air, frozen, as it took him a moment to regain his composure.

What the hell!

He's not some big shot?

He's just here to write a couple of calligraphy characters for entertainment?

Damn it!

Wang Ke felt as uncomfortable as if he'd spent the night sleeping with a husky!

Shit!

Did I attack the wrong person?

Was I just beaten up for nothing?

Something didn't sit right with Wang Ke, but Elder Pang himself had expressed a desire to witness Xia Ming's calligraphy. Was this little punk playing me?

Qi Jun and Qin Yao, believing they had uncovered the truth, breathed a sigh of relief. "Tsk, we thought Xia Ming was some kind of VIP, but he's just a fool peddling his talents on the streets. Let's see how long he can flaunt his few brush strokes."

Qin Yao also clutched her chest, "Damn, that gave me a fright!"

Upon noticing Wang Ke's bruised face, Qi Jun approached with concern. "Brother Wang, are you okay?"

Wang Ke, seething with rage and with no outlet, lashed out at Qi Jun with a kick to the stomach. "Get lost!"

If it hadn't been for Qi Jun, he wouldn't have made a fool of himself in front of everyone.

Qi Jun, reeling from Wang Ke's kick, nearly toppled over but didn't show any anger. "Brother Wang, I'm sorry, I'll head out now!"

Qi Jun had barely taken a few steps when Wang Ke, still nursing his face, called out to him, "Hold on, do you know that Xia Ming? What's his story?"

Qi Jun paused and quickly turned to explain, "Yes, of course I know him! He's a university classmate of ours. Rumor has it he's an orphan and a live-in son-in-law at the Lin Family, where he's pretty much a doormat. He's probably on the brink of divorce!"

"Oh, really?" A cold, vengeful look flickered in Wang Ke's eyes. He had thought Xia Ming was someone of importance, but it turns out he was just an orphan with no significance.

Humph!

Dare to make me, Wang Ke, lose face? Just wait, I'll make sure you regret it!

"Brother Qi Jun, I was heated earlier and I apologize for that. Tell you what, I'll take care of your bill today and give you a 40% discount as a gesture of my apology!" Wang Ke's demeanor shifted as quickly as turning a page. He warmly draped an arm around Qi Jun's shoulders with a friendly smile.

Qi Jun, pleasantly surprised, responded, "Oh, I couldn't possibly accept that. Haha, but thanks, Brother Wang!"

...

Eighteenth floor!

Elder Pang stepped out of the elevator with Xia Ming, and upon finding themselves alone, he finally ventured to speak with reverence, "Young Master Xia, you're incredibly modest! Those people were so disrespectful to you earlier. With just one word from you, I could make them vanish from River City in an instant!"

Xia Ming offered a slight smile, "Elder Pang, they're merely nuisances, hardly worth our concern..."

Elder Pang bowed deeply and replied, "You are wise, Young Master! This way, please. The head of the southwest guard and the leaders of the major families have all arrived!"

Xia Ming nodded, "Alright! However, I suddenly need to use the restroom. Elder Pang, please go ahead, I'll just take a quick bathroom break and catch up immediately!"